Why doesn't England have a National Anthem?

[itwontletmechoose]

It's frustrating to hear them sing the 'God Save the King' British national anthem. Why doesn't England have its own national anthem instead of singing one which covers all of the union (in theory)?

Yeah we do need one that’s not GSTK!

I grew up thinking the Match Of the Day theme tune was our national anthem so you can imagine what I heard all the time!

Agree. It bugs me whichever way round it is. For example the Andy Murray situation. He was born in Scotland and lived in England, but whilst the media always tried to put the British label on him, I always felt he was Scottish, so never got excited when he used to do well in a tennis, because the lines were too blurred. Still happy he did well, but just never felt it was an ‘English’ win.

Can people please stop called for “Jerusalem” to be Englands national anthem. It has nothing to do with nationalism - it’s an inner/spiritual journey. It’s about Revolution to prioritise imagination and creativity. Even Parry got embarrassed enough to give it away.

The misuse of Blake’s words is an abomination!

many welsh (and I’m guessing Scottish and NI athletes) very much begrudge having GSTK played to represent them in British sports when it’s Englands anthem. So it works both ways

as a welsh person, I really don’t think I’ve jumped on your coat tails 😂

This.

We so really need to change ours, it is so dreary. Also as an atheist and being anti monarchy it isn't relevant to me.

It’s an odd union. It seems like four separate countries to me (an outsider) with different personalities. I’m surprised that England doesn’t have its own anthem. But it’s nothing to do with me!

No the Spanish national anthem does not have words

I don't really care about anthems, but 'I Vow to Thee...' is a terrible song.

Nice tune though.

About imminent death, decay and all non-divine helpers failing? Sure. A cheery little ditty.

You’ve pretty much got your own parliament?

They're la la laying

There may be fanatics who sing it at bonfires. I am a Unionist and dont attend the bonfires. Neither are many many others. Those at bonfires tend to be under the loyalist umbrella (not always), rather than the larger Unionist umbrella.

The make up of the assembly is quite different to who voted for whom as many votes were split. So your point about the assembly is not valid.

Don't wish to derail this thread with chat about NI, but wish to state again GSTK is not sung only by fanatics....in fact far from it.

My dad would have loved you!

Very much understand it and very much live it.
How anyone can take issue with me saying there are fanatics in NI is beyond me. It wouldn’t have any issues if there weren’t fanatics.

All said tongue in cheek of course 🙂

I'm sure Will Carling, when he was England rugby captain, tried to get I vow to thee my country used.

Just in case GSTK wasn't enough of a dirge?

AWM - very moving, and great for a funeral, and I say that as an atheist.. but as an anthem?

Oh, can I ask a question (as a non-Brit) to all those of you who sing ‘God Save the King’? How long did it take you to remember to sing ‘King’ rather than ‘Queen’, and are some people still forgetting? Every time I’ve seen the England team singing the anthem, I’ve mentally gone ‘Oh, forgot QE2 is no more ’…

What about Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens, adore him

It's got a catchy tune

She knows her national anthem.

And Michael Sheen is the true Prince of Wales.

We don’t do god or monarchy in this house so the only bit of GSTK you’d get here is “save”. 😂😂